Mold Making and Casting Tip: Mixing Hydrocal Plaster

[zanruos88]

how much water was used in that mix?

[brickintheyard]

@zanruos88 I think this was about 3/4 of a gallon.

[agentj3000]

So is hydrocal as caustic as hydrostone? I've been using hydrostone for a long time, and I'd never use my bare hands. I don't know the difference thought between Hydrostone & Hydrocal.

[brickintheyard]

@agentj3000 Hydrocal is a very hard plaster whereas hydrostone is a stone/cement.

[jldomeier]

I really would like to start taking this hobby up. Making molds and latex masks. Any help for beginners, websites, supplies, starter kits?

Thanks

[brickintheyard]

@jldomeier Check the website at the end of this video.

[mizkarvio]

With the alignate mold, did you apply a plaster support shell to the back of his head?

[brickintheyard]

@mizkarvio Yes. Get our lifecasting dvd for full head lifecast instructions.

[wickedwoodshaunt]

Do you find Hydrocal is better than Ultracal 30 for making mask molds?

[brickintheyard]

@wickedwoodshaunt Hydrocal has better working properties in my opinion. It also absorbs water better than Ultracal. If you are making latex masks I would use Hydrocal as it will decrease your dwell time.

[wickedwoodshaunt]

@brickintheyard Thanks for the insight! Great vids,btw!

[XxChaosDemonChildxX]

this is so interesting! I love watching stuff like this! but i have a question. is this strong ? like will it chip or something liek plaster of paris? because i been wanting to use something like this for sculpting/casting. or use dental plaster. but im not sure which one was good. i also found Hydrocal Gypsum Cement id ont know if thats just as good o-o.

[brickintheyard]

@XxChaosDemonChildxX Plaster of paris is the worst grade of plaster available. If you want a good end product use #1 casting plaster or Hydrocal.

[teenuk1]

Loved this demo! Only thing that would make it better would be the Pirates of Carribean sountrack in background!!

Thanks!

[dkim68]

What's the hydrocal to water mixing ratio?

[brickintheyard]

@dkim68 about 2 parts hydrocal to 1 part water by volume

[urbansculptures]

You can add 2 handfulls at a time, and 100 degree water has the maximum soluability for the hydrocal. I normally want it to harden up FAST, so I use very warm water and a drill with mixer.

The faster it sets generally the harder/stronger it becomes and with less to no bleed water.

[freedo333]

do these tips apply to hydrostone as well?

[brickintheyard]

@freedo333 No.  Hydro stone requires a higher stone:water ratio.

[ImDeejian]

do you do the same with powder gypsum? (the part with the water bucket)

this is seriously educational, thank you so much ^^

[brickintheyard]

@ImDeejian This method works for molding plaster, pottery plaster, casting plaster, and Hydrocal White.

[kashelle888]

Hi, I was wondering if you used a vaccuum for any air bubbles? The mix looked a bit lumpy when you poured it into the negative mold, but the end result was beautiful. I've been having alot of problems mixing my stone, I can't wait to try this! Thank you!

[freedo333]

you forgot to 'fluff up' your hydrocal before mixing into the water... i don't remember why we do that, but i was always taught to do so

[AsusX]

Do you know if and where in Oslo, Norway someone might sell Gel-10, and mostly the stuff you use?

[brickintheyard]

@AsusX We ship international now. Check our webstore for applicable countries.

[TylerHaslett]

Hey Mitch, Great video. I had a couple of questions for you, if you dont mind? First, what temp do you like your water when working with Hydrocal? Second, when doing Hydrocal molds, how long do you wait between layers? Your videos are very informative, I thank you kindly for them. I am going to switch suppliers to BITY as its the only way I can repay you for the info. (no I dont work for bity, just truly thankful for the enormous amout of FREE resource)

[brickintheyard]

Tyler, your check is in the mail. :)

Room temp (70F) water is perfect. You want to add additional layers as soon as possible to get a good bond between layers. Also, a rough surface helps to create a good bond between layers. If you know you will need 2-3 layers to complete a mold or cast part, it is a good idea to have staggered batches of plaster going a few minutes apart and leave the surface rough if you are adding more plaster. Only smooth out the final coat.

[StevenLC1968]

So you should or should not mix Ultracal using this method?

[brickintheyard]

Do not mix ultracal this way.

[jini0810]

I took arch. studio last fall and my prof. wanted us to use hydrocal as our base for the model and i had such a hard time. i couldn't get the right consistancy and it activated so fast that my mold wasn't as smooth as i wanted it. i wish i have known this last year but still, glad to know how to mold with hydrocal in right way. thanks again

[mommamac21]

looks good Jimmy  I think it would be fun doing this!

[TonyDi]

Thanks for this video Mitch. As we all know Hydrocal is unique and as you note the mixing of it in this fashion seems counter intuitive to what we all normally did. This is very enlightening. Normally the set time on this is rapid but this changes the landscape as to how it can be done to extend the working time. Brilliant. Thanks.

[brickintheyard]

All plasters such as Plaster Of Paris, Pottery Plaster, Molding Plaster, Casting Plaster, and Hydrocal.

[metalgrunger06]

Ok thx m8

[metalgrunger06]

is there a difference between Hyrdocal and Ultracall?

[brickintheyard]

Yes. Ultracal is a very dense stone material and mixes very differently. If you mix stone this way it is very weak and brittle. Ultracal may also be stirred as you add more ultracal and must be mixed to a consistency of pancake batter for good strength.

[IRellevant]

so this mixing method goes with all types of gypsum material